TN: Schiff started talking about how the Mayor was creating the
impression that police were out of control. Well, if you're a person of
color, or economically disadvantaged, then yes, the police are out of
control and you're not going to trust an insider.
PS: Ever since council member Gary Schiff supported Barb Johnson for
Council President, he has given me the distinct impression of being tied
to her leash , like Brian Herron and Jackie Cherryhomes. His comment
that the Mayor was creating the impression that police were out of
control is truly bizarre given how lack of police accountability was one
of the issues that brought down the old guard in 2001.
TN: CM Lilligren's back handed attack on CUAPB and his comment about the
"tyranny of the majority, or the
most well organized..." I'm wondering if this is the same Robert
Lilligren who was willing to take on Brian
Herron and challenge the establishment when everyone assumed that Herron
would win easily and wondered why Lilligren would try. The same
Lilligren to whom people (including me) rallied when told by the
political establishment that "he wasn't ready for prime time. No, this
was Vice President Lilligren. One of the
leaders of the establishment and the comment was reminiscent of the last
Vice President, Joe Biernat . . .
Wouldn't it be ironic if Lilligren found himself a one term council
member because of the democratic whims of a "tyrannical majority."
PS: Lilligren's case is truly tragic. Whereas Gary Schiff has been
rather transparent all along (mainly because he was handpicked to replace
a retiring council member instead of challenging someone from the Old
Guard), many of us had hopes that Lilligren would make a difference.
Again, this confirms a lesson I've learned over the years: It doesn't
matter who wins public office. Whoever gets elected, no matter what
their intentions and platform may be, will always be at the beck and call
of the rich and powerful unless their constituents hold their feet to the
fire.
Case in point: After meeting with African American leaders and citizens
last fall, Mayor Rybak finally got it that he was in deep doo-doo with a
solid block of voters and continuing to ignore their concerns would most
likely dash his hopes for reelection. What came out of this positive
tension between Mayor Rybak and the black community was a surprisingly
enlightened choice for Police Chief. If it hadn't been for all those
black folks giving him heck we might've had a different appointment.
TN: Natalie Johnson Lee's exchanges with Dan Niziolek. I too have been
wondering why affirmative action hasn't been brought up when there are
other department heads needed, especially a mostly white civil rights
department. CM Johnson Lee made a reference to "crossing a line," and
decided not to do it. I really wanted her to cross that line and expose
a lot of this for what it was. A lot of these politicians don't really
believe in affirmative action, but will use it when it serves their
purposes. That so much of McManus' support came
from communities of color actually says a lot about the council members
who voted against him. I've always felt that CM Johnson Lee was probably
the best council member in the lot. One of the things that impresses me
about her is that she almost never uses the word "leadership." She
listens, has a more or less open door policy, and goes the extra mile for
all of her constituents. She came so close to exposing the motivations
of her colleagues, but stopped short. When she did that, however, I
felt that I understood so much more about the debate than I had
previously.
PS: Yes, the hypocrisy of council members like Lisa Goodman and Dan
Niziolek, in regard to affirmative action, was truly appalling. I, too,
wished that CM Johnson would've crossed the line. If the new ward
boundaries go through, and they probably will, she will be pitted against
Don Samuels who appears to have a lot more support among the status quo
(e.g., DFLers, Republicans and the Star Tribune). After the beating she
took two summers ago from the racist leadership of the Minneapolis Police
Federation, I suspect she's been more hesitant to speak her mind, which
is too bad, because mouthing off was her best weapon against the most
powerful figure from the Old Guard, Jackie Cherryhomes. So I hope that
CM Johnson, for the sake of her political future, will show us some sass
again.
TN: CM Goodman didn't really say anything during the debate, she just
voted. I've actually always respected her honesty and her willingness to
get into a good political fight when it had to be done. She didn't do
that this time, she just voted. Since I strongly disagreed with her
vote, I respected her conduct during the vote.
PS: While CM Goodman has never struck me as being particularly
progressive or compassionate, I fear she' s going to continue her shift
to the right once the new ward boundaries are established. Then she'll
be representing a less diverse, more affluent constituency downtown.
Thanks for a great post, Tamir ! While I'm thrilled to see William
McManus appointed to the position of Police Chief, I realize at the same
time he'll only be as good as the fair and compassionate citizens who
hold him accountable.
Peter Schmitz CARAG
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